Identifier: unitedstateshist00ridp (find matches)
Title: United States; a history: the most complete and most popular history of the United States of America from the aboriginal times to the present day..
Year: 1893 (1890s)
Authors: Ridpath, John Clark, 1840-1900
Subjects:
Publisher: Boston, New York, The United States history co.
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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n districts, calledboroughs, and issued a proclamation to the citizens of each borough toelect two of their own number to take part in the government of thecolony. The elections were duly held, and on the 30th of July, 1619,the delegates came together at Jamestown. Here was organized theVirginia House of Burgesses, a colonial legislature, the first popularassembly held in the New World. The Burgesses had many privileges, but very little power. Theymight discuss the affairs of the colony, but could not control them; passlaws, but could not enforce them; declare their rights, but could notsecure them. Though the governor and council should both concur inthe resolutions of the assembly, no law was binding until ratified by thecompany in England. Only one great benefit was gained—the freedomof debate. Wherever that is recognized, liberty must soon follow. The year 1619 was also marked by the introduction of negro slaveryinto Virginia. The servants of the people of Jamestown had hitherto
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VIRGINIA.—THIRD CHARTER. Ill been persons of English or German descent, and their term of servicehad varied from a few months to many years. No perpetual servitudehad thus far been recognized, nor is it likely that the English colonistswould of themselves have instituted the system of slave labor. In themonth of August a Dutch man-of-war sailed up the river to the planta-tions, and offered by auction twenty Africans. They were purchased bythe wealthier class of planters, and made slaves for life. It was, however,nearly a half century from this time before the system of negro slaverybecame well established in the English colonies. Twelve years had now passed since the founding of Jamestown.Eighty thousand pounds sterling had been spent by the company in theattempted development of the new State. As a result there were onlysix hundred men in the colony, and these for the most part were roverswho intended to return to England. Sir Thomas Smith, the treasurer,had managed matters badly.

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